PDC Asian Tour Order of Merit update: Paul Lim nears Ally Pally return at 71 as Alexis Toylo first to secure World Darts Championship spot

At 71 years of age, Paul Lim remains a revered figure in the world of darts, yet the likelihood of the Asian legend securing another spot at this year’s PDC World Championship are hanging in the balance. With just one tournament weekend left in the PDC Asian Tour season, Lim currently occupies one of the provisional qualifying positions for the World Championship.

This year, Lim has been competing on the expanded PDC Asian Tour, which now features 28 events. The top five players on the Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn their place at the World Championship in Alexandra Palace this December. Having already contested 24 of the 28 events, Lim sits fourth in the standings. Thanks to two tournament victories, he has amassed $9,800 in prize money, maintaining a $1,400 cushion over sixth place.

The Singaporean, famously known for hitting a nine-dart finish at the 1990 Lakeside World Championship, has competed at the PDC World Championship on fourteen occasions, most recently in 2022. However, Lim has never progressed beyond the second round at either the Circus Tavern or Alexandra Palace. He already holds the record as the oldest participant at the PDC Worlds, having set that milestone in 2022 at the age of 67. Last year, Lim also competed at the WDF World Championship at Lakeside at 70 years old, where he remarkably reached the final.

The first player to secure a spot at the upcoming PDC World Championship is Filipino star Alexis Toylo. After 24 events, Toylo leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit with $13,500 in prize money. ‘Cool Cat’ has enjoyed a stellar campaign, winning four Asian Tour events and finishing runner-up in two others. Toylo made his World Championship debut in London last year, advancing to the second round before falling to Krzysztof Ratajski, having defeated Richard Veenstra in the first round.

Hot on Toylo’s heels is Japan’s Motomu Sakai, second in the standings with $11,850—just $1,750 behind the leader. Sakai has also claimed four tournament wins this season on the Asian circuit, positioning himself strongly for a maiden World Championship appearance.

Philippines’ Lourence Ilagan, known as ‘The Gunner,’ has been a consistent force in recent weeks. After winning the second and third Asian Tour events at the start of the season, he missed two full weekends and went without a final appearance for two others. However, Ilagan returned to form at the start of this month in Manila, clinching two more titles. He currently sits third on the Order of Merit with $9,850.

Just behind Lim in fifth place is Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto, who has accumulated $8,700 this season. Azemoto has reached three finals, winning two of them. Hong Kong’s rising talent Man Lok Leung follows in sixth with $8,400, comfortably ahead of seventh-placed Paolo Nebrida ($6,950). Rounding out the top ten are Keita Ono ($6,550), Tomoya Goto ($6,100), and Alain Abiabi ($4,450).

The final four Asian Tour events will take place on 11-12 September, after which the five players qualifying for the World Championship will be confirmed. For those who miss out via the Order of Merit, there remains a second chance: the two finalists of the PDC Asian Championship, held on 13-14 September, will also be awarded World Championship berths.